FRAMINGHAM - Twenty-two veterans commit suicide in the United States every day. That amounts to more than 8,000 a year; fewer soldiers die in combat.To help veterans living in MetroWest cope with transition to civilian life, the Worcester Vet Center has opened a mobile branch called the Framingham Community Access Point, or the CAP. The facility, housed at Edwards Church, provides counseling for combat veterans, family of armed forces members who died in service and military victims of sexual trauma and harassment.Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, D-5th, came to CAP’s grand opening on Tuesday and sat on a panel to talk about veterans services. About 100 veterans and local officials packed into the church for the event.Panelists also included state Rep. Chris Walsh, D-Framingham, U.S. Army Capt. Justin Fitch, Dr. Peggy Laneri from the Worcester Vet Center and the Rev. Debby Clark of Edwards Church.“It’s very easy to sit here and talk about (veterans), but it’s people who actually step up and do something that deserve the credit,” said Warren during the discussion.Warren and Clark toured the mobile vet center before the panel. Clark commended the center for using “cutting edge” technology to help local veterans.The counseling center was built through grants and donations from the federal, state and local governments, the National Guard and various nonprofits.“The length of the list sends a powerful message,” said Rev. Clark.During the panel discussion, Fitch talked about the mental health struggles veterans face when they come home from war.Fitch, an Iraq war veteran, said he dealt with immense psychological stress during his deployment and thought about suicide when he came home.“I was lucky to have trusted counselors,” said Fitch. “Too many veterans are not this lucky.”After seeking treatment, Fitch wanted to look out for his fellow service men and women.“It takes real courage to talk about mental health counseling and even more courage to talk about suicide,” said Warren, thanking Fitch for sharing his story.Fitch, who has terminal cancer, works at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center and raises awareness about veteran suicide, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health problems.“Too many veterans are suffering in silence,” said Fitch. “Twenty-two a day is a lot. One is too many.”The Framingham mobile center is open by appointment on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.While vet centers are not medical facilities, they are staffed with mental health professionals and offer outpatient services free of charge. There are no wait lists for counseling, said Laneri during the panel.The centers have gotten more sophisticated since the first one opened in 1984 for Vietnam veterans. There are 300 vet centers across the United States including seven in Massachusetts.To schedule an appointment, call the Framingham CAP at 508-753-7902 or 413-320-6740.Anamika Roy can be reached at 508-626-3957 or aroy@wickedlocal.com. Follow her on Twitter @anamikaroy.